Louisiana Cancer Research Center, New Orleans, United States

RMJM design dedicated research centre for cancer-ridden city
New Orleans, which is classed as the least healthy state in the US and which also has the highest rate of cancer deaths in the country, is to receive an RMJM design cancer research center, now under construction.

The Louisiana Cancer Research Centre aims to address residents’ acute need for quality healthcare and will also boost investment in medical research which could help reinvigorate New Orleans’ economy which has struggled since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Louisiana has a neglected medical infrastructure in the wake of the Hurricane and this is the first medical restoration initiative to get underway since the disaster.

Cancer survivors, state and local dignitaries today signed a massive concrete piling to mark the beginning of construction. Upon completion, the cancer centre will support laboratories for 72 principal researchers and their teams, as well as providing flexible research and office space.

The Centre will be operated by the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium (LCRC), a collaboration of three local universities’ health sciences programmes, offering access to technologies, services and scientific consultation that enhance scientific interaction and productivity. The bricks-and-mortar cancer centre has been on the drawing board for most of the past decade with design of the 10-storey, 175,000 sq ft building completed shortly after Hurricane Katrina by RMJM.

“It has been a long time coming, but the project is definitely on course now,” said Steven Moye, President/CEO of the Consortium. “It is the first of many state-of-the-art medical facilities planned for the city and it will pioneer breakthrough advances in detection, treatment and prevention of cancer while fostering economic development in Downtown.”

The research centre is located in what is known as the Greater New Orleans Biosciences Development District. Construction of the building is expected to be complete in 2012.

“The design includes a raised sculptural volume designed as a symbol of hope,” said Stephen McDaniel, RMJM’s leader in designing healthcare and research facilities.

source: www.worldarchitecturenews.com
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